Shane Speal's Top 10 Beliefs in Homemade Music

I believe the greatest honor you can give a piece of wood is to make it sing.

I believe that playing an instrument made by your own hand connects you at a deeper level than anything bought at a store.

I believe that sometimes crude & simple instruments play better than ones with all the bells and whistles.

I believe that bells and whistles have their place on stage.

I believe that musical instruments also serve as props on stage.

I believe concerts should be visual as much as sonic.

I believe "grit" is a guitar tone worth attaining.

I believe the essence of old blues music can be found in an empty cigar box.

I believe the greatest advancements in the cigar box guitar music happen when builders and players hang out over BBQ and cold beer, showing off their instruments to each other (and not when they're watching concerts).

I believe the world needs a new Alan Lomax.

WHAT ARE YOUR BELIEFS? POST THEM BELOW.

_____________________________________________________________________

WE NEED YOUR HELP CROWDFUNDING FOR SHANE SPEAL'S NEXT ALBUM: We're still way under our $7500 Indiegogo goal for the next album. There's only 17 days to go. Snag a download, t-shirt or even book a private show. Pictured above: The most popular perks in the campaign have been concert-used guitars from Shane's vault. He just added this experimental "Five String Cheater."

You need to be a member of Cigar Box Nation to add comments!

"I believe the world needs a new Alan Lomax" - Amen, my brother! He/she is out there somewhere, I hope. I have a guest bedroom, and I can supply meals, some beers and a way point to circle back to on that long quest into antiquity and modern times...

I like Matthew's rule number four: «I believe acoustic CBG separates the men from the boys», thumbs up! I don't agree with «Unplugged, a cigar box guitar isn't all that impressive: the sound is tinny, the volume is low... it is definitely a home-made, folk instrument»: what else?

I'm with you on almost all of these. Some of the best concerts I've ever attended never used anything as a prop. But I certainly enjoy your visual shows and your use of a prop/drop CBG. I'm 100% with you on #10 and I often play actual bells and whistles when I'm on stage!

1) "I believe I'll have another" is only a good idea AFTER the gig, and before you reach 4.
2) I believe fewer notes are better. It is impressive to shred, but should serve the song.
3) I believe 1 string will lead you to 3, then to 4, and sometimes, 6.
4) I believe simpl is good. But Inalso believe in tasty complexity.
5) I believe anyone can play these instruments.